Former Syrian Intelligence Brigadier General Khalid Al Halabi Tried for Torture in Vienna

Two former Syrian officials are on trial before Vienna's criminal court for crimes committed during the repression of the civilian protest movement in the city of Rakka between April 2011 and March 2013. Former brigade general of the Syrian General Intelligence, Khalid Al Halabi, 63, and former lieutenant‑colonel of the Syrian criminal police, Mussab Abou Rokbh, 54, face charges of torture, severe bodily injury, severe coercion and gender‑based coercion. The prosecution has identified 21 victims – many students and academics – who allege they were beaten, shocked with electric devices, doused with hot and cold water and subjected to sexual abuse while in custody.

The trial, which began on a Monday, is the first instance in which alleged crimes of the Assad regime are prosecuted under Austria’s universal‑jurisdiction laws. Defendants deny all accusations, arguing they had no authority over the interrogations and that the evidence consists solely of witness testimonies. Key evidence includes testimonies collected by NGOs and the discovery of a “flying‑carpet” torture device used to strike detainees. If convicted, the defendants could face up to ten years in prison. The proceedings are heavily secured with a large police presence, reflecting the case’s high profile and its potential implications for international accountability for war crimes.